Snell Knot for Texas Rig? 2025
Anantha Patel reply :
DO you think that the snell knot is the best knot for a weighted texas rig? I have found my hook ups to be better than with a palomar. I read somewhere that the hook on a snell knot enters the mouth perpendicularly, which makes hooking better.
Evan K reply :
I have noticed that almost every fish I've gotten with a flipping hook/snell knot has been solidly hooked in the top of the mouth. That said I don't think it's enough of a difference to make me switch to using it on all t rigs. My hookup ratio with a regular improved clinch knot is fine.
S. Sass reply :
Use what knot you like if you feel that snell is doing it for you cool. But the Palomar has been hooking bass without a problem for decades. It's proven reliable strong and quick to tie. I see no reason to change for me.
onetime reply :
Improved clinch is my go to knot, but have switched to snell on T rigs. I use a straight shank/flipping hook and I feel I stick them better this way YMMV
Fish4bigfish reply :
I have really adopted the uni/ double uni knot. I do use a smell when using strait shank hooks when punching. Learn a few knots and tie them well!
BobP reply :
No good reason to snell an offset worm hook. But snelling a straight shank hook will cause the hook to cam upward into the roof of a fish's mouth, resulting in much better hook sets and fewer lost fish.
EvanT123 reply :
I snell all my single hook lures. No rhyme or reason just started doing it and that's what I'm comfortable with. Jigs get a clinch and treble hooks get palamor. Like others have said no wrong way just what you are comfortable with.
Catt reply :
I don't Snell nothing & my hookup percentage is in the upper 90s.
livin2fish reply :
Have used the Snell knot except, the line running through the middle of the hook eye makes it difficult to peg the soft plastic to keep it from sliding down the hook during the hook set. Personal choice for pegging is 80 lb. mono., which catches the line in the hook eye. Prefer a knot that leaves the hook eye open.
Darren. reply :
I used to snell all my hooks without weed guards.
But I bought a bunch of Daiichi hooks at Walmart
the other year (O'shaughnessy bend) for TX rigging
and I snelled them.
Then I lost a few fish...and hooks.
The hook eye on almost every single hook from those
packs was sharp where it met the shank. So I tied
one on and gave it a good pull and *snap* right at that
sharp spot.
Needless to say, I couldn't snell these any longer....
But I have no problems with Gamakatsu hooks, FWIW.
Got away from snelling since I mostly throw weed guard
wacky hooks these days.
Mike L reply :
I only snell when making a more vertical presentation. (Flippin and short pitches)
If casting and working it back I really don't see an advantage because of the more horizontal retrieve.
Mike
PAGreg reply :
I like the snell because it allows the weight to sit on the hook versus the knot.
GrumpyOlPhartte reply :
Well, it's been a year since this forum was established and sonuvagun! It still is useful. That Search option is pretty handy! These rainy days I've been attempting to learn useful knots and the snell is on the list. I originally planned on using it for punching or flipping, neither of which I have figured out how to accomplish from my sit-in kayak. (Well, unless tossing the lure straight up in the air, covering my head, and waiting to see where it lands is a form of either method.) But it has gotten me to thinking about trying snells for Texas rigs. I like the idea of the hook response to the hookset, but understand the issue with the worm/creature sliding down the hook; however, a toothpick cures that. So, after reading the advice and other thoughts expressed here, I guess I'll give it a rip and see what happens.
To all all the rest of the newbies out there - use the Search before you ask reruns. Ya might just find the answer back in the musty archives! I gained valuable insight into a technique about which I was interested but confused. Heck, I'm still confused, but a lot smarter about snelled rigs.
CroakHunter reply :
On 7/1/2017 at 10:48 AM, GrumpyOlPhartte said:Well, it's been a year since this forum was established and sonuvagun! It still is useful. That Search option is pretty handy! These rainy days I've been attempting to learn useful knots and the snell is on the list. I originally planned on using it for punching or flipping, neither of which I have figured out how to accomplish from my sit-in kayak. (Well, unless tossing the lure straight up in the air, covering my head, and waiting to see where it lands a form of either method.) But it has gotten me to thinking about trying snells for Texas rigs. I like the idea of the hook response to the hookset, but understand the issue with the worm/creature sliding down the hook; however, a toothpick cures that. So, after reading the advice and other thoughts expressed here, I guess I'll give it a rip and see what happens.
To all all the rest of the newbies out there - use the Search before you ask reruns. Ya might just find the answer back in the musty archives! I gained valuable insight into a technique about which I was interested but confused. Heck, I'm still confused, but a lot smarter about smelled rigs
I watched tacklejunky81's video on snell knot and that's what I use when I use a straight shank flipping hook. Ewg or round bend I opt for the palomar
LxVE Bassin reply :
I snell all single hook applications. I like how snell knots keep the weight from banging against the knot. If something is working for you then you're doing something right.
NHBull reply :
Perception is your reality, so if it works, great
I have tried it and see more downside than upside given today's hook options.
I do not like weights sliding on FC.......just another opportunity to ding the line
Boomstick reply :
I only really see a reason to snell a straight shank hook personally, rather than an offset worm hook. But if you find it's working better for you then by all means keep using it.
Catt reply :
Here's some fuel for thought 
In those cute little videos where the guy holds the weight between his fingers while pulling the line & the hook toggles up.
Do you think the inside of a bass's mouth is the big ole cavern?
Ever have a 5-6# bass smash a Rat-L-Trap, you set hook with all your strength & fight the fish for awhile only to have the trap fly at you when the bass opens it mouth?
That's 6 hook points & none stuck anything!
It's cause the lure never moved in the bass's mouth!
Now back to the smelled hook, ya think it's gonna toggle freely like in the video?
A-Jay reply :
On 7/2/2016 at 10:02 AM, Anantha Patel said:DO you think that the snell knot is the best knot for a weighted texas rig? I have found my hook ups to be better than with a palomar. I read somewhere that the hook on a snell knot enters the mouth perpendicularly, which makes hooking better.
I tried to like the snell knot on the straight shank hook deal - I really did.
But despite my best efforts (and that it seems many anglers seem to love & promote it) - I found out, I HATE IT.
I do not like the way it fishes And I did not see any type of 'advantage' with it all - none.
Wasn't long before I was back to the EWG & a Palomar.
btw - a small bead (or a bobber stop) in front of the hook is a good way to protect the knot and the Owner Wide Gap Plus EWG is like a Gaff.
YMMV
A-Jay
Further North reply :
On 7/2/2017 at 9:56 PM, A-Jay said:btw - a small bead (or a bobber top) in front of the hook is a good way to protect the knot and the Owner Wide Gap
Agree - about half the rigs I set up Texas rigged with an EWG are tied to about a foot and a half of tieable wire (we have a lot of pike and muskie here).
I found that the weight (I use steel or tungsten most often) beats the snot out of the knot...so I started using a pink or orange plastic bead between the weight and the hook.
...seems to trigger more strikes too, though I have no objective evidence of that. Some of my rigs tied like that will go weeks and weeks and dozens of fish (including plenty of the previously mentioned toothy kind) without a re-tie.
A-Jay reply :
On 7/2/2017 at 10:58 PM, Further North said:Agree - about half the rigs I set up Texas rigged with an EWG are tied to about a foot and a half of tieable wire (we have a lot of pike and muskie here).
I found that the weight (I use steel or tungsten most often) beats the snot out of the knot...so I started using a pink or orange plastic bead between the weight and the hook.
...seems to trigger more strikes too, though I have no objective evidence of that. Some of my rigs tied like that will go weeks and weeks and dozens of fish (including plenty of the previously mentioned toothy kind) without a re-tie.
Yup ~ Started buying my wire in 100 yds spools - that's a nice chunk of change.
A-Jay
Further North reply :
On 7/2/2017 at 11:00 PM, A-Jay said:Yup ~ Started buying my wire in 100 yds spools - that's a nice chunk of change.
A-Jay
Do you use the Surflon, Tyger-wire, or something else I haven't discovered yet?
I use both, but prefer the Tyger wire for most applications.
A-Jay reply :
On 7/2/2017 at 11:04 PM, Further North said:Do you use the Surflon, Tyger-wire, or something else I haven't discovered yet?
I use both, but prefer the Tyger wire for most applications.
Not to hi-jack this one (sorry to the OP)
American Fishing Wire Surflon Micro Supreme Nylon Coated 7x7 Stainless Steel Leader Wire, Camo Brown, 20 & 26 Pound Test, 100-Meter
Have not tried the Tyger wire product ~ is it available in bulk ?
A-Jay
Further North reply :
On 7/2/2017 at 11:26 PM, A-Jay said:
Have not tried the Tyger wire product ~ is it available in bulk ?
A-Jay
Yes, but you're going to have to hunt for it. Last time I ordered it direct from the maker, took forever.
To me, the Tyger Wire is more supple...but I'm not sure it makes any real difference.
...and apparently I'm spelling it wrong. 
TyGer Leader. https://www.tygerleader.com/search.php
You can buy 1000 foot spools. I'm afraid to even look at the price....
A-Jay reply :
On 7/2/2017 at 11:32 PM, Further North said:Yes, but you're going to have to hunt for it. Last time I ordered it direct from the maker, took forever.
To me, the Tyger Wire is more supple...but I'm not sure it makes any real difference.
...and apparently I'm spelling it wrong.
TyGer Leader. https://www.tygerleader.com/search.php
You can buy 1000 foot spools. I'm afraid to even look at the price....
OK ~ Thanks but we're killing this thread -
Sending you a PM ~
A-Jay
WRB reply :
Bait holder hooks were developed with at turned up eye to accommodate snell knots. When you tie a snell knot it's purpose was to improve knot strength for FC line, another knot trying to overcome poor knot strength with FC. The fact the exits a straight or flat eye hook at 45 degree angle only add more stress to the line and defeats the reason of having a turned eye that solved that problem decades ago.
Today's anglers tend to ignor the oblivious. When a bass engulfs your hook it crunches down very hard to kill the critter before deciding to continue eating it, the hook rolls sideways and is flattened inside the mouth. The wider the hook gape the more it cams overr sideways and the big reason EWG hooks miss so many hook sets. Snell knots do not resovle hooks rolling over, the only weaken the line at the hook eye exit.
Tom
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